Leagues must pull together

CRICKET OPINION:

“TIME for change” was the Conservatives’ battle cry in the recent General Election.

Unfortunately from a Tory perspective, that view was not shared by the majority of the British voters and the result was a hung Parliament.

It is to be hoped that a similar scenario does not unfold in local cricket.

Change is needed and it is needed now.

But for progress to be made, the majority of leagues and clubs sheltering under the Lancashire Cricket Board umbrella need to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

Last week’s Chronicle articles in which CLL and Saddleworth League players voiced concern over the state of the game in this area provoked a huge and passionate response.
Many of those views have been printed on the pages of this newspaper and the majority called for a shake-up in which leagues should merge and a divisional system (or pyramid) be designed to provide more competitive cricket.

The setting-up of a Premier League was also high on the list of priorities among those who contacted us.

These changes will be by no means easy to make.

Indeed, LCB chairman Andy Hayhurst outlines the problems he and his board face on Page 33.

From the LCB right down to the officials who run the various cricket leagues in Lancashire, there seems to be a built-in reluctance to take the bull by the horns.

It’s almost as though the powers-that-be are finding reasons not to change, rather than seeking a solution, however difficult.

I find that extremely sad.

The Central Lancashire League, which I have covered for many years, barely resembles the competitive, thriving spectacle once enjoyed by hundreds of cricket lovers during the CLL’s halcyon days.

Go to some grounds these days and players outnumber the spectators. It really is a depressing sight.

Of course, we live in times of greater choice. Whether that be days out with the family or rival sporting attractions on Sky and terrestrial television, it is clear that local cricket is struggling to compete.

So to do nothing and hope for the best is simply not an option.

I had a telephone call this week from Alan Whiston, the hugely-experienced Crompton cricketer who, like many others, read the Chronicle articles last week and was moved to comment.

For someone possessing such a long-standing affinity with the CLL and its traditions, his remarks came as a surprise.

“Something needs to be done sooner rather than later,” he said.

“I would hope to see something in place for the start of next season.

“Only 10 games into this season we have a mini-league between ourselves, Oldham, Royton and Werneth to see who can finish as top local team. That can’t be right.”

Whiston’s opinions echoed those in support of league mergers.

He added: “The top CLL teams might be much too strong for most of the Saddleworth League sides.

“But others might not and I would not be against the CLL merging with the Saddleworth League and perhaps the Lancashire County League to form a number of divisions.

“At least if you are in the right division you will have something to play for.

“Our season is virtually over and with players crying off it’s only going to get harder to get a team out.

“The LCB receive enough money and I hope they will get involved.”

I agree entirely, Alan.

The LCB must encourage those who run leagues in Lancashire to meet and find a way to get things done rather than burying their heads in the sand and pretending all is rosy in their own gardens.

Self-interest needs to be shelved in favour of the greater good of the game.

And, if the wind of change blows into these parts, those who choose to go it alone will eventually have to fall in line or lose credibility and face a future of isolation.